A recently released video from bodycam footage has detailed the tense and controversial moment when agents from the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office arrested the captain of the Miami City Fire and Rescue Department, Máximo Vásquez Jr., 42 years old.
The images that have been circulated this week show the progression of a verbal and physical confrontation that culminated with the veteran firefighter handcuffed and charged with several misdemeanors.
The audiovisual material - obtained by several local media - has given new dimension to an incident that occurred in the early hours of June 2nd in front of Vásquez's residence, located in the 9800 block of Southwest 163rd Street in Miami-Dade.
The captain had called 911 to report the disappearance of his wife, but what began as a plea for help ended in an arrest marked by insults, shouting, and scuffles.
A meeting filled with tensions and outbursts
In the video, the agents arrive at Vásquez's home and find him visibly agitated. The conversation soon devolves into a hostile exchange.
“Did I say I didn’t want a report?” the captain snaps in a defiant tone.
“I asked him if he wanted a report,” one of the agents replies.
"And what was my response?" Vásquez insists.
"You said, 'Go yourself,'" the agent replies.
The dialogue continues to deteriorate, marked by aggressive expressions from the firefighter: “Are you serious, man?” and later, in an angry tone, he exclaims: “Dude, you are a bunch of [censored] mental retards! I swear to God, man.”
Despite the officers' attempt to gather information for the missing person report—such as the woman's height, weight, and the clothing she was wearing—the captain responded with increasing frustration and verbal attacks.
"It's like dealing with children," you can hear him say.
When the agents finally hand him a card with the case number, Vásquez throws the card at them and says, “fuck... you, brother.”
At that moment, the situation escalates quickly. The officers grab him, throw him to the ground, and handcuff him.
“My wife is missing, is this all I get? Screw you, man”, shouts Vásquez as he is restrained.
Charges submitted and institutional response
Vásquez's arrest was formalized with four minor charges: assaulting a law enforcement officer, resisting without violence, disturbing the peace, and improper use of the 911 system.
According to the police report, the captain “called 911 twice during the night… just to belittle the officers who arrived.”
After the arrest, Vásquez appeared before a bail court, where the judge found no probable cause for the charge of resisting an officer. Nevertheless, the other charges remained active.
Subsequently, the Miami City Fire and Rescue Department announced that it would begin an internal investigation.
"The Miami City Fire and Rescue Department is aware of an incident involving a firefighter with 15 years of experience," it stated in an initial announcement.
"Once contact is established, the department will initiate a thorough internal investigation in accordance with our policies and procedures," the document states.
The investigation has finally been concluded, and according to the fire department authorities, Vásquez fully cooperated with the process. As of today, he has been reinstated to his usual duties.
An episode driven by desperation
Although the captain apologized after his arrest—"Hey, man, I'm sorry about that"—his behavior was not well received by the officers present.
"No, dude, that's not right, brother. No, dude, you're twisted, my friend," one of them can be heard responding.
Máximo Vásquez's next court appearance is scheduled for September 11.
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